MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide launched a carbon offset program for events and meetings held at select properties across Southeast Asia. At no additional cost to customers, Hilton Worldwide will measure carbon generated by all events at 11 of its properties in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, and purchase carbon credits to offset their environmental impact. The carbon credits will be used to fund renewable energy projects in Borneo and Cambodia. “Sustainability is a priority to Hilton Worldwide and a central part of how we do business,” said William Costley, vice president, operations—Southeast Asia, Hilton Worldwide. “For us, it is not just...

HONG KONG—Burba Hotel Network (BHN), Horwath HTL, and Stiles Capital Events, co-hosts and organizers of the annual Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP), announce the winners for the HICAP 2012 Sustainable Hotel Awards. The 23rd annual HICAP will be held this week at the InterContinental Hong Kong.Winners of the HICAP 2012 Sustainable Hotel Awards are: •    Sustainable Project Design—Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka—Jetwing Vil Uyana embodies what can be accomplished in providing a luxurious resort guest experience in a truly environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. Twenty-seven luxurious dwellings are integrated into a wetland reserve in an area of just...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—For the third consecutive year, Ecolab Inc. has been named to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) S&P 500 Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI). The CDLI highlights companies that have demonstrated a commitment to strategy, governance, stakeholder communications and transparency in their reporting practices. “At Ecolab, we strive to manage our operations responsibly while we deliver sustainable solutions to more than one million customer locations around the world,” said Douglas M. Baker, Jr., Ecolab chairman and CEO. “We are honored to once again be recognized by the CDP for our responsible business initiatives and commitment to reduce greenhouse gas...

PHILADELPHIA—ARAMARK hired 17 young professionals for the 2012 ARAMARK Environmental Sustainability Internship Program. The program provides participants with hands-on job experience as they help implement environmental solutions for ARAMARK clients at schools, universities, businesses and other locations in the United States and United Kingdom.In partnership with the Student Conservation Association (SCA), ARAMARK engages young people who are interested in careers that have a positive social and environmental impact. The young people also gain a practical understanding of how environmental sustainability operates within a business environment.“We recognize that our workforce is evolving and changing and we are looking at ways...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Viridian Reclaimed Wood announced the introduction of Siberian Spruce paneling milled from reclaimed Russian crating material, according to Viridian co-owner Joe Mitchoff. A mix of slow-growing spruce and pine from the frigid climate of subarctic Russia, the paneling is reminiscent of the walls of an alpine lodge, but its light color also lends itself to contemporary interiors. “This paneling’s rustic character hints of its rough-and-tumble past,” Mitchoff said. “But it’s really beautiful, and it’s an extremely affordable way to use reclaimed wood on a project.”Siberian Spruce is available in 5/8″ or 3/4″ thicknesses, with a face width of...

LOS ANGELES—CBRE Group, Inc. announced the launch of the Real Green Research Challenge (RGRC), a four-year, $1 million commitment to fund leading-edge sustainability research and innovation relating to commercial real estate. The program was unveiled at The Climate Group’s Climate Week NYC. CBRE is accepting submissions for research proposals, with the goal of developing solutions to the industry’s critical environmental challenges.“We’ve seen growing market awareness of commercial buildings’ impact on the environment,” said Bob Sulentic, CBRE’s president. “This has inspired new thinking and innovation in sustainability research. However, people with good ideas often lack financial support and access to...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented its 12th annual Green Power Leadership Awards to 24 Green Power Partners and three suppliers for their achievements in advancing the nation’s renewable electricity market. For most municipalities, electricity usage is the single-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. By using green power, communities and businesses can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create local jobs, and improve public health.In the Green Power Partner of the Year category, Hilton Worldwide was chosen along with the City of Austin, Texas, Microsoft Corp., and the University of Oklahoma.“Our 2012 Green Power Leadership Award winners have...

LOS ANGELES—MindClick SGM announced that Marriott International will spend 75 percent of its 2013 furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) budget with suppliers that are part of the MindClick Hospitality Sustainability Performance Index (HSP Index). The HSP Index measures suppliers’ corporate social responsibility, environmental operations, and product sustainability efforts.Marriott is incorporating MindClick’s supplier scorecard as an integral solution in greening its global supply chain, following a year as a member of the Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium. Led by MindClick, a sustainability consulting firm, Consortium members worked together to establish a supplier sustainability rating system for the hotel industry.“Utilizing the MindClick...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—The Refinishing Touch, a provider of on-site environmentally safe and sustainable furniture asset management services, has honored 29 businesses with Sustainability Awards. The awards recognize eco-conscious companies within the hospitality industry that have successfully implemented furniture asset management services to reduce their carbon footprints.To qualify for the awards, hotels and resorts must demonstrate a commitment to implementing environmentally-friendly practices, particularly furniture asset management tactics including refinishing, remanufacturing, and reupholstering that reduce their carbon footprint and minimize landfill waste. The program, spearheaded by business environmentalist and The Refinishing Touch president and CEO Mario Insenga, is also designed to inspire...

TROY, OHIO—The Hobart Center for Foodservice Sustainability (HCFS) announced plans to award a $5,000 grant to the organization judged to have the best-executed foodservice sustainability project. Applications are currently being accepted for the sixth annual HCFS grant, and the recipient is going to be announced at the 2013 National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show in Chicago.“On behalf of the HCFS, we’re very pleased to again offer a $5,000 grant to a foodservice organization that demonstrates leadership in sustainability best practices,” said Rick Cartwright, vice president, ITW Food Equipment Group and an HCFS Fellow. “We’re searching for examples of foodservice sustainability...